As the new NBA season approaches, it is time to start discussing MVP candidates. Several players will force themselves into the conversation, and here we take a look at some potential dark horses who could make a push for the award.
4 Dark Horses Who Could Push for NBA MVP Award
Anthony Edwards
The Minnesota Timberwolves surprised many last season by finishing as the third seed before ultimately falling to the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the Western Conference Finals. They finished just one game back of the first-seed Oklahoma City Thunder and expect to be amongst the top teams again this season.
A lot of this success is due to the impressive leap of star Anthony Edwards. At just 23 years old, he is among the most exciting players in the NBA. Last season, he led his side through a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns, then a seven-game series win over the defending champions Denver Nuggets. He shone in the playoffs after a strong regular season, averaging 25.9 points. In 16 games, he averaged 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
Edwards’ stock grew further over the summer as he competed with Team USA for a gold medal in the Paris Olympics. He proved an important player off the bench, striking up a fearsome partnership with Kevin Durant. Barring injury, it is likely that Edwards’ growth continues to soar rapidly. With another big year on the horizon for the Timberwolves, expect to see Edward’s name mentioned amongst the best throughout the season again.
ANTHONY EDWARDS HAS ARRIVED!
40 PTS (31 in 2H)
HUGE performance in a closeout Game 4 as the @Timberwolves advance to the West Semis! pic.twitter.com/DaC10GEagD
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2024
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2024
Jalen Brunson
The New York Knicks are set to be the most dangerous threat to the Boston Celtics’ Eastern Conference crown. Injuries slowed them down last year, but they still finished as the second seed. However, they were defeated in the second round by the Indiana Pacers.
In response, they have improved immensely this offseason. It came at a hefty price, but they added Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges to an already dangerous roster. The Knicks are spearheaded by the impressive Jalen Brunson, who has emerged as a superstar since his move to New York. Brunson has established himself as one of the best point guards in the league and an accomplished scorer in all areas. Last season, he averaged 28.7 points per game, the fourth-highest of all players. He shot 40.1% from three, showcasing his threat from deep.
Now the main man, supported by elite defensive talent in Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, the Knicks have all the tools to be a title contender. Questions remain over the future of Julius Randle, but the franchise has more avenues they can explore to improve the roster even further. With the potential that the Knicks have and the strides Brunson has made, it would be a surprise if he did not force his name into MVP conversations at some point and become a dark horse to win it.
Ja Morant
It has been a tough year for Ja Morant, as he played just nine games last season. Firstly, he was suspended for 25 games to begin the year, and shortly after his return, he suffered from a torn labrum which required season-ending surgery.
The Memphis Grizzlies struggled in his absence and finished 13th in the Western Conference. Morant was not the only player out, with several key players missing large portions of the season. This includes Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. However, the side is in a much better position to compete with a fully healthy roster. A core of Morant, Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., alongside some more talented youngsters such as GG Jackson, should be a dangerous threat in the West. They will be adding ninth-overall pick Zach Edey to the mix as well.
During the 2022-23 season, Morant played 61 games, averaging 26.2 points and 8.1 assists. He has earned himself a reputation for being one of the game’s most explosive and entertaining players. After such a long time out, it can be argued that his return and the likely impact he will have on the Grizzlies has gone under the radar, particularly relating to MVP discussions. Despite plenty of competition in the conference, the Grizzlies have the pieces to make some noise.
Devin Booker
Like Edwards, Devin Booker was a crucial member of Team USA’s Olympic gold medal-winning roster. A player with exceptional offensive talent, his willingness to sacrifice his touches and provide tough defense and clutch buckets earned him a starting spot.
The star does not turn 28 until October but is already entering year 10 of his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns. His early years were synonymous with losing, but he has seen increased success in recent seasons, including a run to the finals in 2021. This time, though, it feels like a championship or bust for the franchise. With Bradley Beal and Durant on the roster alongside him, there are no excuses for another failure. Last season, injuries meant the trio could not develop sufficient consistency or chemistry to produce a deep run. Instead, the Timberwolves swept them in the first round.
Booker averaged 27.1 points and a career-high 6.9 assists in the previous campaign. The additions of point guards Tyus Jones and Monte Morris should take the creative responsibility off his shoulders. This will allow him to focus mostly on scoring. Sharing the floor with shooters such as Durant, Beal, and Grayson Allen will ensure he gets the space to continue putting up some big numbers. Should he do so, the Suns have the roster to compete at the top end of the standings, which could catapult Booker into MVP conversations and make him seem like a dark horse to take the award.
Devin Booker in Paris:
11.7 PPG
3.3 APG
56.8 FG%
56.5 3P% (led Team USA)Played the role. https://t.co/sdr9YDllq9
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 11, 2024
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